Philosophical Debate Research Articles

The philosophical debate on linguistic bias: A critical perspective

ABSTRACT Drawing on empirical findings, a number of philosophers have recently argued that people who use English as a foreign language may face a linguistic bias in academia in that they or their contributions may be perceived more negatively than warranted because of their English. I take a critical look at this argument. I first distinguish different phenomena that may be conceptualized as linguistic bias but that should be kept separate to avoid overgeneralizations. I then examine a range of empirical studies that philosophers have cited to argue that people who use English as a foreign language are subject to linguistic bias in academia. I contend that many of these studies do not sufficiently support key claims that philosophers have made about linguistic bias, are challenged by counterevidence, and lack generalizability. I end by introducing methodological recommendations that may help philosophers develop more convincing empirically informed arguments regarding linguistic bias.

The Effect of Unfolding Scientific Discoveries on Visual Images of the Beginning of the Universe

Explanations of ‘The Beginning’ or ‘Creation’ have varied from primitive accounts to complex theological, philosophical and scientific arguments. Myths and ideas providing answers to the great questions of how the universe was created, and where we all came from, have circulated in the near east and the Mediterranean since ancient times, from early legends to ancient, medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, to modern scientific theory. Such ideas have also been expressed in visual images ranging from the great Creation cycles in St Mark's Venice and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling, to the works of William Blake, Brancusi's 'egg' or technical and scientific diagrams, such as the famous NASA image ‘The Big Bang and the Expansion of the Universe’ of 2012. Visual representations of the Beginning have changed over time and may be either in line with or contrary to contemporary scientific thought.

Preface

Intelligence emerging from interactions between the body and the environment at the material and morphological levels attracts the attention of many different research communities. Researchers with engineering, social sciences, computer sciences, biology, and materials science backgrounds all study and understand embodied intelligence from their own perspectives. Therefore, providing a common definition of ‘Embodied Intelligence’ remains challenging.Furthermore, the intricate connection between the body and mind remains an unresolved philosophical question. Exploring this relationship not only deepens our understanding of animals and humans but also serves as a crucial element in the development of embodied artificial intelligence. By unraveling this connection, we can pave the way for creating robots endowed with practical intelligence. The long-standing philosophical debates surrounding consciousness have gained utmost significance in the realm of AI-powered machines.This book presents a comprehensive selection of papers authored by renowned researchers who participated in the 2nd International Conference on Embodied Intelligence held on 23-25 March, 2022, and the Embodied Intelligence Workshop, held at the RoboSoft 2022 Conference. This collection features reviews and perspectives articles, as well as the original research. The collection aims to stimulate interdisciplinary discussions and presenting novel ideas on the topic of Embodied Intelligence. By exploring the latest concepts and future directions in this field, these papers offer fresh perspectives and help paving the way for breakthroughs in both understanding and practical implementation.The central focus of this year’s conference revolved around two key topics: the significance of modeling in the design of soft robots and the pivotal role of the brain in embodied agents. The design of soft robots can follow a modeling-based approach using formal models and optimization techniques, similar to traditional rigid robotics. However, accurately modeling the behavior of soft robots is challenging. An exploratory approach inspired by biological organisms involves an iterative process, drawing insights from their locomotion and other behaviors. The role of the brain and central nervous system in bio-inspired robotics is significant, with self-organization and embodied intelligence allowing problem-solving without extensive centralized control. Researchers emulate cognitive processes observed in animals to develop intelligent robots, requiring advances in computational models and algorithms. Finding a good balance between exploiting the physical body and relying on computational capabilities remains an open topic of discussion.The book consists of a wide range of topics surrounding Embodied Intelligence and is loosely structured in two parts. The first set of chapters discuss the principles and perspectives on Embodied Intelligence and the links to robotics and artificial life. In the second half of the book, there is discussion on the connection between humans and Embodied Intelligence and the surrounding philosophy, psychology and cognitive science which ground and situate the research.We express our sincere gratitude to all the participants of the Conference and Workshop participants, the authors, and the reviewers for their outstanding contributions to this volume.

Poésie et astronomie. De l’antiquité au romantism edited by Florian Barrière and Caroline Bertonèche

This collection of essays edited by Florian Barrière and Caroline Bertonèche presents an anthropological and cultural approach to astronomical themes in poetic works from antiquity to the Romantic period (with emphasis on Latin literature and British Romantic poetry). Apart from the main subject, the framework spans myth, theater, natural philosophy, and musical composition. Although the reader can tell that the emphasis is on the philological aspects of works, it is done with much careful consideration of contemporary scientific and philosophical debate and a good knowledge of the critical literature.

An analysis of conceptual ambiguities in the debate on the format of concepts

AbstractThere is a debate in philosophy and cognitive science over whether concepts – the building blocks of thought—are couched in a perceptual modality or are amodally represented. The empirical evidence so far collected seems not to have adjudicated this question yet, as reinterpretation of the same set of evidence by both supporters of modalism and amodalism have been provided. I offer a critique of such reinterpretations, arguing that they ultimately derive from theoretical problems in the definition of a modal representation. In particular, I will review three criteria which have been offered to distinguish amodal concepts from modal ones: the isomorphism criterion, the neural location criterion, and the input specificity criterion. I will explain how these criteria often lack theoretical clarity, making it possible in most cases to propose a parsimonious explanation of the same set of data from both an amodalist and a modalist perspective. As a result, it becomes impossible to empirically discriminate between the two interpretations. My conclusion is that the main problem with the discussed criteria is that they frame the question on the format of concept as an either/or debate, by overlooking more interesting empirical questions.

Translation in the Most Reverent Theory of Truth: A Self-Translative Act as an Illusion of Correspondence

Being the most intuitive and yet perhaps most contestable of all, the correspondence theory remains an axis around which the philosophical debate on truth incessantly spins, with indefiniteness remaining as its main propelling force. The following work presents one more interpretative attempt; it will be argued that each classical contemporary version of the theory incorporates an idea of translation process. For this purpose, initially one was specified what notion of translation should be applied here by enumerating its key features. Next, three classical models were examined—those proposed by Russell, Moore and Austin—in such a way as to expose the place of translation in each analysis. Consequently, the research both provide an element which unifies them and highlight the significance of translation for the philosophical inquiry into the concept of truth.

A response to Michael Clinton's On Bender's orientation to models: Towards a philosophical debate on covering laws, theory, emergence and mechanisms in nursing science.

My purpose in this short response to Clinton's interesting article On Bender's orientation to models: Towards a philosophical debate on covering laws, theory, emergence and mechanisms in nursing science, which is published in this issue, is not to provide any counterargument to Clinton's interpretation of my own argument; readers are welcome to interrogate both articles at their leisure and make their own conclusions. What I will do instead is provide a brief critical assessment of my own (il)logic re bringing in the notion of mechanism as conceived by Machamer, Darden and Craver into an argument for models versus theories as a carrier of nursing knowledge.

A response to michael clinton. on bender's orientation to models: Towards a philosophical debate on covering laws, theory, emergence and mechanisms in nursing science.

A response to michael clinton. on bender's orientation to models: Towards a philosophical debate on covering laws, theory, emergence and mechanisms in nursing science.

Is it true that all human beings have dignity?

The discussion around dignity in nursing philosophy has been underway for many years. The literature still lacks philosophical arguments that would justify the thesis that all people have dignity. Scholars who defend dignity as an intrinsic value most often refer to Kant. However, Kant does not seem to be the most suitable candidate to defend the thesis that all human beings possess dignity. In this paper, I attempt to show that Aristotle's and Aquinas's views can help justify this thesis. To this end, I distinguish between actual dignity, potential dignity, and existential dignity. I state that all human beings have existential dignity or potential dignity.

Anthropocene Self-Consciousness: Response to “Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto”

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

Earth System Breakdown Does Not Care About Tenure Track

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

Critical Naturalism: The Manifesto and Critical Realism

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

The Need of a Critical Theory of Digitalization (Remark on the Point of Technologization in the Manifesto)

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

The Critical Naturalism Manifesto: Some Comments

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

Understanding the Plurality of Nature: A Neo-Spinozist Response to the Critical Naturalism Manifesto

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

Is Critical Naturalism Necessary?

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

The Absolute Contradiction of Self-Determination

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

Feminism after Gaia: Care and the Posthuman

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

"First Nature" and Colonial Rifts: Response to "Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto"

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.

Critical Naturalism from the Margins: Commentary to Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, by Federica Gregoratto, Heikki Ikäheimo, Emmanuel Renault, Arvi Särkelä and Italo Testa

The prior issue of Krisis (42:1) published Critical Naturalism: A Manifesto, with the aim to instigate a debate of the issues raised in this manifesto – the necessary re-thinking of the role (and the concept) of nature in critical theory in relation to questions of ecology, health, and inequality. Since Krisis considers itself a place for philosophical debates that take contemporary struggles as starting point, it issued an open call and solicited responses to the manifesto. This is one of the sixteen selected responses, which augment, specify, or question the assumptions and arguments of the manifesto.